The Greatest Bike Saddle Luggage of 2024

Why You Ought to Belief Us

With a severe affinity for driving bikes of all types, the staff at Bikerumor is all the time looking for one of the best methods to hold the necessities with us on all of our rides. Whereas on-bike storage is continually evolving, the common-or-garden saddle bag remains to be one in all our favourite methods to make sure that we now have our trip necessities on the prepared on our rides. We love the set-it-and-forget-it facet of saddle luggage, the place our instruments and flat restore objects are ready patiently till we want them. We additionally know that having so many choices to select from could make it more durable than you would possibly anticipate finding precisely what you want.

For our bike saddle luggage purchaser’s information, we rounded up a number of 11 completely different fashions to check and evaluate aspect by aspect. Evaluate creator, Jim Graham, examined all the luggage on this evaluation to see how they carry out out on the highway or path, and the way they evaluate to one another. Jim is an avid outdoorsman who lives in southern New Hampshire the place he splits his time between biking, path operating, and training a Nordic ski staff within the winter months. Whereas he enjoys all sorts of driving, in recent times, he’s taken a shine to gravel driving and loves going out exploring the wealth of nation roads and rail trails accessible from his house, in addition to taking part in some long-distance biking occasions. He additionally likes to be ready on his rides, and he’s been utilizing saddle luggage for many years to maintain his important gear on the bike to cope with flat tires and different mechanical points. Jim is having fun with semi-retirement, which supplies him much more time to get out and trip and check gear. Along with this evaluation, Jim has contributed to Bikerumor’s guides of one of the best gravel biking tires and our favourite bike multi-tools.

After researching one of the best saddle luggage available on the market, we gathered a various number of 11 fashions for testing and comparability. After an in depth inspection of every bag’s supplies, building, and format, we packed each up, mounted it to our check bike, and headed out for quite a few check rides to see how they carried out in the true world. Within the course of, we analyzed the convenience of attachment, space for storing, stability, ease of opening, closing, and eradicating objects, and particular options like group pockets, reflective components, tail mild clips, and water resistance. After putting in, eradicating, and loading/unloading every saddle bag numerous instances, we zeroed in on our favorites and those who excel in particular methods in comparison with the remainder.

Shopping for Recommendation: How you can Select a Bike Saddle Bag

With so many manufacturers, fashions, and sizes available on the market, it’s simple to get misplaced evaluating specs and particulars while you’re purchasing for a saddle bag. And you must marvel: Are all these choices actually obligatory, and even price worrying about?

The reality is that the majority saddle luggage will work nicely sufficient throughout the large vary of biking kinds and match the overwhelming majority of bike saddles and bicycles. And they’re going to maintain a very powerful necessities that each bicycle owner ought to convey on each trip. Relying in your driving type, what you select to hold in a saddle bag, attachment type choice, and want for water resistance, it’s best to have the ability to slim down the alternatives to seek out seat pack that completely fits your wants.

What Kind of Driving Are You Doing?

What you carry with you, and due to this fact, how a lot storage you want might range relying on whether or not you’re driving highway, gravel, or mountain bikes. Listed below are some tips for matching a bag to the kind of driving you’re doing, based mostly on our expertise, however keep in mind that this will range relying on what you wish to convey with you on a trip and the way a lot of it you need to put in a saddle bag.

Street

For highway biking, we’re usually minimalists. Give us a small, light-weight bag with simply sufficient room for a easy multi-tool, tire levers, a spare tube, a tire patch or two, and a automobile key. Most small saddle luggage can even match a CO2 inflator and cartridge or two, however it’s not a deal breaker for us if we have to mount a mini pump to our body. Since highway tubes are typically fairly small, all this may usually squeeze into small-capacity saddle luggage just like the Silca Mattone Seat Pack (0.4-liter), Blackburn Grid MTB (0.4-liter), or the Lezyne M-Caddy QR (0.5-liter).

Mountain

Though using saddle luggage is a bit much less frequent on fashionable mountain bikes than it was once, many riders nonetheless select them as their most popular methodology for including some on-bike storage. Driving trails might be more durable in your bike, and also you’re extra prone to be farther away from anywhere the place you may get assist, so that you’ll need to pack gear that covers a wider vary of repairs and changes. The fundamentals embody a sturdy, full-featured multi-tool, spare tube (or two), tire levers, a CO2 inflator, and a few CO2 cartridges. (Inflators make it a lot simpler and sooner to fill a large-volume mountain bike tire than a mini pump.) It’s additionally sensible to hold a fast hyperlink to repair a damaged chain, tubeless tire plugs, a spare derailleur hanger, maybe further tire sealant, and a small first assist equipment. A little bit of duct tape can’t damage both!

Since mountain bike tubes are a lot bigger than highway or gravel tubes, you want somewhat more room in a saddle bag to suit them. A few of the bigger and mid-sized luggage we examined, just like the Blackburn Grid (medium), Ortlieb Micro Two, ToPeak Wedge DryBag, and the EVOC Seat Pack Boa are able to becoming a barely bigger load, and the latter three of these declare to be waterproof as nicely.

You will need to point out, nevertheless, that on fashionable full-suspension mountain bikes with dropper posts, rear tire clearance might be a difficulty. You’ll need to verify and be sure that a saddle bag gained’t battle along with your rear tire when the rear suspension is compressed and that it really works along with your dropper put up (when you’ve got one). For that reason and others, many mountain bikers will choose to hold their gear in a high quality hip pack or hydration backpack.

Gravel

For gravel driving, we like a saddle bag that’s someplace in between. We discover that mid-ride stops for repairs and adjustment are typically much less frequent and severe than in mountain biking. Then again, gravel rides often require extra frequent pitstops than highway rides. For that reason, we like a mid-sized bag that’s not as cumbersome or heavy as one we’d use for mountain biking, however which can even carry somewhat extra gear than we might on the highway, particularly a grasp chain hyperlink and a spare tube or two. Relying on what you set in your saddle bag, a number of the small capability choices may work nicely, however one thing with a medium capability, just like the ToPeak Aero Wedge (0.66-liter, dimension small), makes it somewhat simpler to squeeze in barely bigger gravel tubes and/or further CO2 cartridges.

Bikepacking

In a single day or multi-day adventures require important quantities of space for storing to hold issues like sleeping luggage, jackets, cooking gear, and so forth. Fortunately, there’s a rising variety of manufacturers placing out superb saddle, body, and handlebar luggage made particularly to fulfill the calls for of recent bikepackers. Whereas the merchandise examined and reviewed listed here are typically extra acceptable for on a regular basis rides that don’t contain tenting, a number of of the fashions we examined are available bigger sizes that may converse to the bikepacking viewers. The EVOC Seat Pack Boa is an effective instance. The 1-liter dimension we examined is the smallest of the three choices, with 2-liter and 3-liter sizes provided for individuals who want extra storage. In any other case, manufacturers like ToPeak, Blackburn, Ortlieb, Restrap, and lots of others produce a variety of bikepacking-specific luggage to swimsuit these with larger storage wants.

Attachment Type

Nowadays, saddle luggage usually include both a strap mount system (hook and loop straps or Boa) or a quick-release attachment. Some luggage are even provided in each so you’ll be able to select whichever you like. Typically talking, this comes down to non-public choice.

Fast-Launch

Fast-release attachments are sturdy and safe as a result of they bolt onto a saddle with a sturdy bracket. Additionally they droop the bag barely away from the saddle rails which reduces the probabilities of the contents rattling in opposition to them or the fabric rubbing and inflicting abrasion. A fast-release tab makes eradicating your saddle bag quick and straightforward, which is a pleasant characteristic if you might want to depart your bike in a spot the place your bag is likely to be the goal of thieves. The downsides are that quick-release luggage weigh a tiny bit greater than these with hook-and-loop straps, they don’t match some saddles with broadly spaced seat rails, and a few will not be really useful to be used with fancy carbon rails. The Lezyne M-Caddy QR, Topeak Aero Wedge (QuickClick), Ortlieb Micro Bag Two, and ToPeak Wedge DryBag all use some form of quick-release system.

Strap Mount

Hook-and-loop closures are extremely and simply adjustable and may match just about any bike seat with rails. Additionally they permit a saddle bag to be cinched up tight in opposition to the saddle, a characteristic we like as a result of it retains the bag tucked up out of the best way. The draw back is that hook-and-loop straps typically aren’t as sturdy as quick-release clips, and the grip can change into worn and fewer efficient over time. In our expertise, hook-and-loop straps are loads robust and may final for years, however it pays to examine them commonly and keep away from cramming your saddle bag with heavy objects that can stress the bag over time.

A couple of luggage use a Boa strap to connect them to the bike. The 2 fashions we examined with this method are the Mattone Seat Pack and the Seat Roll Asymmetrico, each made by Silca. In each circumstances, a large strap wraps across the pack and seat rails the place it’s joined and tightened with a Boa dial and skinny wire. We’ve discovered such a attachment to work comparatively nicely, particularly on the Mattone. The EVOC Seat Pack Boa additionally makes use of a Boa, however on this case, it secures the pack across the seatpost.

Dimension Choices

Some saddle luggage are available a single dimension, whereas others can be found in a number of dimension choices to cowl various storage wants. For instance, the ToPeak Aero Wedge fashions we examined are available 4 sizes, further small (0.4 liters), small (0.66 liters), medium (0.98 – 1.31 liters), and huge (1.48 – 1.97 liters). This dimension vary gives choices for everybody from the sunshine packers to the “all the pieces however the kitchen sink” crowd. Equally, the ToPeak Wedge DryBag, Blackburn Grid, Ortlieb Micro Bag, and EVOC Seat Pack Boa additionally are available a number of sizes.

Different manufacturers merely make different fashions of various sizes. For instance, the Silca makes the Mattone (0.4 liters) and the Mattone Grande (0.74 liters). Lezyne makes a wide range of saddle luggage of their Caddy lineup with various sizes, attachments, and designs to select from, plus they provide quite a lot of kits, just like the M-Caddy – Tubeless Package, that features a saddle bag, multi-tool, tubeless restore instruments, and CO2 canisters.

Water Resistance

A saddle bag’s place beneath the tail of your bike saddle signifies that it’s immediately within the line of fireside from spray coming off the rear tire whether or not you’re driving moist pavement or gravel, or splashing by means of streams and dirt puddles on a mountain bike. Most saddle luggage are constructed from nylon or one thing related with some claiming to be water resistant and others claiming to be utterly waterproof. For individuals who trip in moist situations steadily, water resistance could also be an vital issue to contemplate, whereas for others, it could not matter a lot in any respect.

The water resistant choices usually have a DWR (sturdy water-repellant) end and a water resistant zipper. They will often shrug off mild quantities of moisture, however with a correct soaking, it’s nonetheless possible that the contents will get a bit damp inside. In case your bag’s contents get moist, it’s often a good suggestion to allow them to dry out between rides so your multi-tool doesn’t begin to rust.

Saddle luggage claiming to be waterproof are typically made with a cloth that’s been coated to repel water and have sealed seams to stop water ingress. They could have waterproof zippers, however drybag-style roll tops are one other frequent method of sealing up the opening. The three waterproof fashions we examined are the ToPeak Wedge DryBag, the Ortlieb Micro Bag Two, and the EVOC Seat Pack Boa.

A number of Bikes?

Relying on how a lot you trip, what number of bikes you’ve got, what you convey with you on completely different bikes, and your price range, it is sensible for a lot of riders to make use of only one saddle bag that will get switched between a highway, gravel, or mountain bike. This could prevent a couple of dollars, and it really works simply high quality – till it doesn’t. Inevitably, you would possibly neglect to swap out the highway tube for a gravel tube (or another snafu) and end up with the fallacious tube to your bike. Equally, when you’ve got only one multi-tool, which you employ each to work in your bikes at house and to take with you on rides, there may very well be instances while you neglect to place it again within the saddle bag. It’s aggravating and embarrassing to chop a trip quick since you left a easy however extremely vital multi-tool at house.

It prices a bit extra initially, however we’ve discovered that the final word answer is to have a devoted saddle bag for every of our bikes. Inside every of these are the fitting instruments and spares, and so they all the time keep on that exact bike. For the house store, we now have separate instruments, too. In any other case, it’s simply too tempting to take a multi-tool or spare tube out of a saddle bag and assume, “I’ll put it again later” and neglect. The upfront price of a number of saddle luggage and power kits might deter many riders however it could possibly save the frustration of making an attempt to trace down the fitting saddle bag and instruments earlier than each trip or, worse, forgetting them altogether.

Sturdiness

There’s nice information in relation to sturdiness. The standard of design, supplies, and building in all the baggage we examined felt rock stable, and they’re extremely really useful in lots of consumer critiques. Moreover, many luggage include lifetime warranties in opposition to producers’ defects. 

Nonetheless, saddle luggage are fabricated from nylon or different materials and so they put on over time – particularly for those who don’t tighten them up in opposition to your seat or body. Unfastened luggage are likely to rub, which may trigger abrasion that ultimately weakens the fabric, and also can contribute to annoying rattling noises over bumpy terrain. However for those who tighten these luggage up snugly, they need to rub much less and last more, whereas sitting extra quietly and securely beneath your seat for years of hassle-free biking.

Worth

While you’re spending hundreds of {dollars} on the bike of your goals, it is sensible to buy round for a saddle bag that can suit your bike excellent, carry and set up all of your necessities, and final for hundreds of hassle-free miles and a few years. It’s a small funding for such a helpful, sturdy piece of substances that ensures you’ve got your instruments while you want them.

The most costly saddle bag in our information is $110, whereas the least prices lower than $20. And, all of them held up nicely sufficient by means of nasty situations, though some are way more water resistant than others. We’ve owned saddlebags which have lasted 10 years, which is an amazing bang for the buck, and the development high quality and useful designs of the latest luggage are even higher. As talked about above, ensuring your saddle bag is connected correctly will assist not solely to maintain it quieter over tough surfaces but additionally stop abrasion and prolong its lifespan.

Saddle luggage have a comparatively simple job, and even the least costly choices we examined will get the job executed with less complicated designs, supplies, and constructions. Typically talking, as the value goes up, it’s because of using extra superior supplies, constructions, water resistant zippers, and options like Boa straps or quick-release techniques. Dimension might also play a task because it takes extra materials to provide a bigger bag than a smaller one. So, for instance, if waterproofness is excessive in your listing of priorities, you’ll be able to count on to pay a bit extra to get it. Nonetheless, even the costliest choices we examined ought to final for a few years of regular use which helps to offset the preliminary sticker shock.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions